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Manitoba’s education critic says he’s received a flurry of 4,600 emails and letters complaining about proposed public school amendments, including a complaint the proposed rules could erode religious freedoms.

Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen said he’s hired a new staff member just to handle the feedback.

“If 5,000 Manitobans see a problem with this bill, I tend to think 5,000 Manitobans aren’t all wrong,” he said.

Religious schools argue a clause that requires them to allow certain student-formed groups impinges on their religious freedom.

The act requires all schools to allow student associations for a “gay-straight alliance or any other name that is consistent with” an inclusive school environment along with those supporting gender equity, all sexual orientations, antiracism and students with disabilities.

“If there are groups meeting on campus that are contrary to our faith principals, that is not appropriate,” said Scott Wiebe, principal of Steinbach Christian High School. “Activities and organizations in the school, we feel should be left to the school’s discretion.”

The school will hold a meeting about the changes Sunday night to gauge parents’ views.

Wiebe stressed the opposition isn’t based on any one specific group that might form but aims to preserve the school’s ability to direct student activities.

“I don’t see how having groups would ensure (student) safety. We have a safe school,” he said.

But Education Minister Nancy Allan said many of the 2,000 emails she received on the topic were positive and the bill’s intent to keep kids safe must remain the top priority.

“If a group of students want to have a gay-straight alliance, they can have one because we think students can learn better if they don’t feel intimidated,” said Allan. “These types of student groups tend to build a culture in a school that is accepting.”

Allan said exemptions can’t be made for religious schools because students must be protected regardless of location.

Two other common complaints focused on bullying measures, said Goertzen and Wiebe.

Wiebe said the broad definition of bullying to include mere hurt feelings could be extremely difficult to enforce.

And Goertzen said the legislation of Bill 18 also lacks a clear indication of the penalties bullies should face, which have led some victims to change schools in the past.

Allan said penalties must be left up to individual school officials who are better equipped to address specific situations.

As Advertised in the Winnipeg SUN

Proposed law could erode religious freedoms: Christian school

Manitoba’s education critic says he’s received a flurry of 4,600 emails and letters complaining about proposed public school amendments, including a complaint the proposed rules could erode religious freedoms.

Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen said he’s hired a new staff member just to handle the feedback.

“If 5,000 Manitobans see a problem with this bill, I tend to think 5,000 Manitobans aren’t all wrong,” he said.

Religious schools argue a clause that requires them to allow certain student-formed groups impinges on their religious freedom.

The act requires all schools to allow student associations for a “gay-straight alliance or any other name that is consistent with” an inclusive school environment along with those supporting gender equity, all sexual orientations, antiracism and students with disabilities.